The University of Leeds, UK, has purchased a state of the art laser scanning system from 3D Laser Mapping. The RIEGL VZ-1000, which can capture highly accurate measurements from almost a mile away (1400 metres), will primarily be used within the earth sciences departments. Applications will include the measurement of earth surface change in inhospitable environments such as polar, artic and alpine regions. It is hoped the RIEGL VZ-1000 will facilitate more efficient and effective field studies in addition to benefits afforded through its use in laboratory experiments.
“The RIEGL scanner purchased from 3D Laser Mapping gives us the best of all worlds,” commented Dr Jonathan Carrivack, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography at the University of Leeds. “The combination of range, accuracy, precision, portability and upgradability means it is suitable for use across a wide range of departments and subject fields.”
The latest addition to the University’s field survey kit the RIEGL VZ-1000, will be used to serve the needs of many departments including geography, geomorphology as well as biology and engineering. Using the laser scanner studies have already been planned in hedgerow vegetation, forest biomass and anatomical surveys as well as monitoring changes in the earth’s surface.
“Using the laser scanner we can complete field surveys much faster. This makes them cheaper which in turn means we can do more of them. We are also now able to capture unprecedented spatial and temporal detail allowing for the qualification of hitherto theoretical or qualitative models of earth surface processes,” continued Dr Carrivack. “In other words we can go out more often, do more when we are there and get much better results!”
The RIEGL VZ-1000 is a long range, high speed laser scanner with a wide range of view. The VZ-1000 utilises unique echo digitisation and online waveform analysis to achieve superior performance and accuracies of measurement, even under adverse weather conditions. Achieving accuracies of 5 millimetres at ranges of up to 1,400 metres the VZ-1000 can capture up to 122,000 points per second with a 100 x 360-degree field of view.
